Container with improved lift-off end closure



Nov. 28, 1967 w. G. REYNOLDS ET AL 3,355,060

CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED LIFT-OFF END CLOSURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May21, 1965 FIG.I

FIG.2

m m m OHM SA m mww E G K VMD L W I OE mm/ WUA WEGD THEIR ATTORNEYS Nov.28, 1967 w. G. REYNOLDS ET L 3,355,060

I CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED LIFT-OFF END CLOSURE Filed May 21, 1965 5Sheets-Sheet 2 I V 25 23 J I5 l5 7 h N 27 2| INVENTORS lI- sumo Ki AUSBY DANIEL s. CVACHO I /%.4 WW P FIG.6

THEIR ATTORNEYS Nov. 28, 1967 w. G. REYNOLDS ET Al. 3,355,060

CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED LIFT-OFF END CLOSURE Filed May 21, 1965 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS WILLIAM G. REYNOLDS EDWARD G. MAEDER BY GUIDOKRAUS DANIEL S. CVACHO THEIR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,355,060CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED LIFT-OFF END CLOSURE William G. Reynolds,Richmond, and Edward G. Maeder, Guido Kraus, and Daniel S. Cvacho,Chesterfield, County, Va., assignors to Reynolds Metals Company,Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 21, 1965, Ser. No.457,594 13 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE centralportion to cause the intermediate portion to be more firmly received inthe recess of the container body as internal pressure is created withinthe closed container body by the contained product means or the like.

This invention relates to an improved container as well as to improvedparts and methods for making such a container or the like.

In particular, this invention provides an improved end closure foreffectively sealing closed the open end of a container body or the likeso that the end closure has a natural tendency by itself, as well aswith internal pressure in the container body, to more firmly secure theend closure in a sealed relation with the container body.

In addition, the end closure of this invention has an improved featurefor permitting the same to be easily opened when desired by the ultimateconsumer.

Also if desired the entire end closure may be removed exposing adesirable appearing tumbler.

In particular, the container body can be so constructed and arranged tobe utilized with the end closure of this invention in such a manner thatthe container body itself will provide an attractive tumbler type ofstructure when opened so that the container body can be utilized as adrinking or serving receptacle.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedcontainer having one or more of the novel features of this invention asset forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved end closurefor such a container or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofmaking such a container or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from areading of this description which proceeds with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of the improved container of thisinvention with the end closure thereof in its closed position.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates one step in themethod of opening the container of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates the container inits fully opened position.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 and illus- "ice trates one of thesteps of inserting the end closure of this invention in the containerbody of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 and illustrates the final step informing the completed container of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 and illustrates anotherembodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 8 is a top perspective view of a tumbler type of container ofthis invention FIGURE 9 is a side view partially in cross section andillustrates the tumbler-type container of FIGURE 8 closed by an endclosure of this invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter describedand illustrated as being particularly adaptable to provide a containerfor beverages or the like, it is to be understood that various featuresof this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereofto provide other types of containers as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized toillustrate one of the Wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the improved container of this invention isgenerally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises acontainer body 11 having an open end 12 and a closed end 13 with theopen end 12 being closed by an end closure 14 of this invention in amanner hereinafter described.

While the container body 11 of this invention has been illustrated ashaving an integral bottom 13, it is to be understood that the containerbody 11 of this invention can be formed with a separate closure for thebottom thereof, if desired.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, the open end 12 of the container body 11 isformed with an annular curled head 15 which cooperates with the internalperipheral surface 16 of the container body 11 to define an annularrecess 17 for a purpose hereinafter described. The annular bead 15 onthe container body 11 is so constructed and arranged that the sameprovides an attractive and effective drinking lip for the openedcontainer body 11 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4 whereby thecontainer body 11 attractively simulates the appearance of a drinkingtumbler or the like.

If desired, the container body 11 can be formed of metallic material,such as aluminum-containing metallic material or the like or can beformed of any desired and suitable material, such as plastic and thelike.

The end closure 14 of this invention is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 andcan be formed of metal, plastic or any other suitable material.

The end closure 14 has a central, inwardly bowed section 18 integrallyjoined to a downwardly turned annular portion 19. The annular portion 19is, in turn, integrally joined to an upwardly directed annular portion20 which, in turn, is integrally joined to a bead forming section 21 byan arcuate portion 22 receivable in the recess 17 of the container body'11.

If desired, either the container body 11 or the end closure 14, or both,can carry a sealing compound or gasket means 23 which is disposedbetween the bead 15 of the container body 11 and the bead formingportion 21 of the end closure 14 when the container body 11 is closed bythe end closure 14.

In order to insert the end closure 14 in the container body 11, the beadforming portion 21 of the end closure 14 is normally disposed in theuncurled position illustrated in FIGURE 5 whereby a suitable insertingtool 24, having a rounded end 25, can press against the central portion18 of the end closure 14 to snap the portion 22 of the end closure 14past the head 15 of the container body 11 so as to be received in therecess 17 thereof in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6.

In the preferred embodiment, the rounded end 25 of the inserting tool 24has a radius of curvature shorter than the radius of curvature definingthe arcuate bowed portion 18 of the end closure 13 whereby downwardmovement on the tool 24 relative to the container body 11 will cause theportion 22 of the end closure 14 to be drawn inwardly because of thefurther bowing of the central portion 18 so that the portion 20 of theend closure 14 can be snap fitted past the bead 15 of the container body11.

Thereafter, suitable die means 26 can curl the portions 21 of theinserted end closure 14 around the bead 15 of the container body 11 tocomplete the container whereby it can be seen that the container body 11can be simply and inexpensively closed with the end closure 14.

After the end closure 14 has been inserted in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 2, the natural tendency of the bowed portion 18 of the endclosure 14 is to tend to flatten in an outwardly direction because ofthe snap fit arrangement of the end closure 14 and the container body 11whereby the flattening forces on the central portion 18 of the endclosure 14 tends to compress the end closure 14 against the bead of thecontainer body 11. In this manner, the natural resiliency of the endclosure 14 compresses the caulking or gasket means 23 therebetween toprovide a fluid-tight sealing relationship between the end closure 14and the container body 11.

In addition, should the product disposed in the closed container 10 haveinternal pressure, such as is provided by a carbonated beverage or thelike, this internal pressure tends to move upwardly in the direction ofthe arrows in FIGURE 2 to further tend to flatten the bowed portion 18of the end closure 14 to further enhance the sealing effect of thesealing compound or gasket means 23.

Therefore, it can be seen that it is a relatively simple operation toeffectively snap fit the end closure 14 of this invention in the openend 12 in a snap fit relationship therewith so that the end closure 14has a natural tendency to seal itself against the bead 15 of thecontainer body 11 whether internal pressure is provided in the containeror not.

One method for opening the container 10 of this invention is to have aperson place his thumbs on the exterior surface of the bowed portion 18of the end closure 14 and push downwardly on the same to further bow theportion 18 inwardly so that the portions 22 of the end closure 14 willtend to pull inwardly away from the annular recess 17 of the containerbody 11. At the same time the central portion 18 is being pressedinwardly, the ultimate consumer raises upwardly on the outer curledportion 21 of the end closure 14 to free the same from the bead 15whereby the end closure 14 can be removed therefrom.

In this manner, the end closure 14 can be utilized to reseal the openedcontainer body 11 if a portion of the product is not consumed.

However, the end closure 14 of this invention can be readily providedwith an easy open means in a manner now to be described.

In particular, it can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2 that the curled portion21 of the end closure 14 can be provided with an integral and dependingpull tab 27 extending therefrom below the peripheral edge of the curledportion 21. The end closure 14 is either internally or externally scoredfrom adjacent the pull tab 27 to substantially across the middle of thecentral portion 18 thereof. For example, such external scores 28 can beprovided in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Thus, when the ultimate consumer desires to open the container 10, theultimate consumer merely grasps the pull tab portion 27 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 1 and pulls upwardly on the same whereby the endclosure 14 is torn across the same in the manner illustrated in FIGURE3. As the pull tab 27 tears across the end closure 14, the separatedportion tends to cause the portion 20 of the end closure 14 to be drawninwardly thus releasing the same from the recess 17 of the containerbody 11 whereby continued pulling of the pull tab 27 completely pullsthe end closure 14 from the container body 11. Thus, the container body11 is opened in a simple and effective manner.

After the ultimate consumer opens the end closure 14 in the abovedescribed manner, the end closure 14 can be thrown away and thecontainer body 11 can be utilized as an attractive drinking container orserving receptacle in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Thus, it can be seen that easy open means can be provided for thecontainer 10 of this invention to readily permit the ultimate consumerto open the same without requirin the conventional can or bottleopeners.

While the container 10 of this invention has been previously describedas containing beverages or the like, it is to be understood that thesame can be utilized for other products such as jellies, jams, etc.,whereby the container body 11 will provide an attractive servingcontainer when opened. The end closure 14 being utilized with such acontainer body can be formed of plastic, metal or the like and can besnapped in the open end thereof to reclose the same in the mannerpreviously described by merely pressing downwardly on the centralportion 18 thereof whereby the end closure 14 need not have the easyopen pull tab means 27 previously described.

Further, while the container 10 of this invention has been previouslydescribed as having the bead forming section 21 of the end closure 14completely extending under the head 15 at the end of the container body11, it is to be understood that the bead forming section 21 canterminate just before passing under the head 15 to more effectivelypermit the end closure 14 to be removed therefrom.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 7 wherein another containerconstruction of this invention is generally indicated by the referencenumeral 29 and parts thereof similar to the container construction 10 ofFIG- URES 1 and 2 are indicated by like reference numerals.

However, it can readily be seen in FIGURE 7 that the bead formingsection 21 of the end closure 14 terminates at a point 30 before thesame would pass under the bead 15 of the container body 11 as in theembodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2.

This readily permits the end closure 14 to be removed from the containerbody 11 by means of a pull tab 27 in the manner previously described tocompletely open the container body 11 of the container construction 29.

As previously set forth, the container construction of this inventioncan utilize the various features of this invention to provide anattractive tumbler for drinking purposes and the like when the same hasbeen opened in the manner previously described.

For example, reference is now made to FIGURES 8 and 9 wherein animproved container construction of this invention is generally indicatedby the reference numeral 3t and comprises a tumbler type of containerbody 31 formed from a metallic sleeve 32 having a closed end and anupper open end 34. A plastic cup-shaped insert 35 is disposed in themetal sleeve 31 and has a plurality of outwardly directed ribs 36press-fittingly engaging the interior surface of the sleeve 31 tofrictionally hold the plastic insert 35 therein, the plastic insert 35having an enlarged upper end 37 which engages the open end 34 of thesleeve 32 and defines an outwardly directed drinking lip 38.

The enlargement 37 of the plastic insert 35 has a recess 39 providedabout the inner surface thereof.

An end closure 40 is provided for closing the container body 31 and isformed in a manner similar to the end closure 14 previously described.In particular, the end closure 40 has an inwardly bowed intermediatesection 41 interconnected to a reversely curving portion 42 which, inturn, is interconnected to an arcuate portion 43 which is snap-fitted inthe recess 39 of the enlargement 37 of the plastic insert 35. Aperipheral portion 44 extends from the end closure 40 and is loopedagainst the outside of the enlargement 37 in the manner illustrated inFIGURE 9 to completely close the container body 31, the end closure 40having a pull tab 45 to tear across the end closure 40 in the samemanner as the pull tab 27 of the end closure 14 previously described.

Thus, when it is desired to open the container construction 30 of thisinvention, the ultimate consumer grasps the pull tab 45 and pullsupwardly on the same and across the end closure 40 along tear linessimilar to the scores 23 previously described whereby the end closure 40is subsequently released therefrom and can be completely removed fromthe container body 31 to provide the attractive tumbler arrangement asillustrated in FIG- URE 8 from which the ultimate consumer can drink orserve the product initially sealed in the container construction 30.

Therefore, it can be seen that various types of container bodies can beclosed by the end closures of this invention to effectively seal theproduct therein. However, the end closures of this invention are soconstructed and arranged that the same can be readily opened to becompletely removed, if desired, from the container bodies whereby thecontainer bodies themselves can be utilized as the serving and drinkingreceptacles with the container bodies being decorated and designed inany suitable man ner.

Accordingly, it can be seen that not only does this invention provide animproved container having many novel features over prior knowncontainers, but also this invention provides an improved end closure andmethod for making such a container or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed asrequired by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within thescope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a container body having an open end provided with arecess in the interior surface thereof, and a closure for said containerbody having a central portion spanning said open end and having anintermediate portion snap-fitted in said recess to close said open end,said intermediate portion being annular and having a substantiallyS-shaped cross-sectional configuration throughout its entire length toprovide resiliency for said snap fitting relation with said containerbody, said S-shaped configuration being substantially normal to saidinterior surface of said container body, said closure having an outerportion interconnected to said intermediate portion and engaging theexterior surface of said container body.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said central portion ofsaid closure is bowed inwardly into said container body.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer portion ofsaid closure includes a depending pull tab for opening said closure.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said closure has aweakened section that tears away from said closure when said pull tab ispulled relative to said closure to release said intermediate portionfrom said recess.

5. In combination, a container body having an open end defined by abeaded portion of said container body, said container body having arecess in the interior surface thereof at a point spaced inwardly fromsaid bead, and a closure for said container body having a centralportion spanning said open end and having an intermediate portionsnap-fitted in said recess to close said open end, said intermediateportion being annular and having a substantially S-shapedcross-sectional configuration throughout its entire length to provideresiliency for said snap fitting relation with said container body, saidS- shaped configuration being substantially normal to said interiorsurface of said container body, said closure having an outer portionbent over said bead of said container body.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said central portion ofsaid closure is bowed inwardly into siad container body and tends toflatten under internal pressure in said container body to further forcesaid intermediate portion into said recess of said container body.

7. A combination as set forth in laim 5 wherein said outer portion ofsaid closure includes a depending pull tab extending below said bead ofsaid container body.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said closure has aweakened portion extending from said pull tab across said outer,intermediate and central portions so that said weakened portion willtear away from said closure when said pull tab is pulled relative tosaid closure.

9. A closure for an open end of a container body and having a centralportion for spanning said open end of said container body, anintermediate portion for snapfitting in an internal recess of saidcontainer body and an outer portion for engaging the exterior surface ofsaid container body, said intermediate portion being annular and havinga substantially S-shaped cross-sectional configuration throughout itsentire length to provide resiliency for such snap fitting relation withsaid container body, said S-shaped configuration being adapted to besubstantially normal to the internal recess of said container body.

10. A closure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said central portion ofsaid closure is bowed inwardly.

11. A closure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said outer portion of saidclosure includes a pull tab integrally interconnected thereto.

12. A closure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said closure is weakenedadjacent said pull tab so that said weakened portion can be separatedfrom said closure when said pull tab is pulled away from said closure.

13. A closure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said weakened portionextends across said outer, intermediate and central portion of saidclosure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,141,184 12/ 1938 Hothersall22060 2,767,711 10/ 1956 Ernst 22060 XR 3,204,813 9/1965 McCuskey et al22060 3,223,279 12/ 1965 Wheaton 22060 THERON E. CONDON, PrimaryExaminer. G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION, A CONTAINER BODY HAVING AN OPEN END PROVIDED WITH ARECESS IN THE INTERIOR SURFACE THEREOF, AND A CLOSURE FOR SAID CONTAINERBODY HAVING A CENTRAL PORTION SPANNING SAID OPEN END AND HAVING ANINTERMEDIATE PORTION SNAP-FITTED IN SAID RECESS TO CLOSE SAID OPEN END,SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION BEING ANNULAR AND HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLYS-SHAPED CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION THROUGHOUT ITS ENTIRE LENGTH TOPROVIDE RESILIENCY FOR SAID SNAP FITTING RELATION WITH SAID CONTAINERBODY, SAID S-SHAPED CONFIGURATION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAIDINTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID CONTAINER BODY, SAID CLOSURE HAVING AN OUTERPORTION INTERCONNECTED TO SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTON AND ENGAGING THEEXTERIOR SURFACE OF SAID CONTAINER BODY.